Restorative justice focuses on the victim
Mar 29, 2012
from the column by Linda Gryczan in the Independent Record:
....There is a growing number of restorative justice programs in Montana for adults and juveniles across reservations and other jurisdictions in Montana, including community youth justice, victim-offender dialogue and victim impact panels.
In Lewis and Clark and Broadwater counties, certain first time offenders up to age 17, are offered an opportunity to instead of going before a judge, meet with the victim of their crime, his or her parents, community members and a trained facilitator. Victims are encouraged to describe the impact of the crime, offenders are held accountable, and the group decides how the offender will make amends.
One offender said, “The worst thing about the meeting was having to look at and face the man I stole the bike from, but the best part was my friends and I got to help decide how to make it up to him. After we gave his bike back we saved money and bought a bike to donate to kids.”
Some victims of felony crimes such as burglary, assault or homicide, want to meet with their offenders face-to-face to say how the crime has affected them and their loved ones and to ask questions only the offender can answer. After sentencing, the Montana Department of Corrections offers an opportunity for victim-offender dialogue in a safe setting after intensive preparation by trained facilitators. Meetings can only be initiated by the victim and are voluntary for both sides. While not receiving any tangible benefits from the process, offenders may want an opportunity to apologize as a way to make amends.
A woman who spent years fearing the man who assaulted her, learned when she met him face-to-face, that he was an old man dying of cancer. “Once I knew he would not come back to rape me again, I was able to begin the healing process.”
Victims who don’t want to meet directly with their offender can volunteer to speak as part of a victim impact panel (VIP) at one of the boot camps or prerelease centers. VIPs give victims an opportunity to tell their stories, meet other victims with similar experiences and hold offenders accountable for their crimes. Many offenders report that the VIP was the most important factor in their decision to take responsibility for their crimes, participate in treatment and change their lives.
One offender wrote: “The biggest lesson you have taught me is that my victims will be affected for the rest of their lives because of my actions but it’s not too late to change what I do and to not hurt anyone ever again.”
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Thank you for this article on the use of restorative justice in Montana. It is another indication of how much restorative justice is spreading across the U.S. and globally. <br /> <br />In the article the writer speaks of the great value of restorative justice to victims. As an advocate for victims-driven restorative justice, I agree. But the writer said that in restorative justice processes there are no real "tangible benefits" for the offender. I disagree. The value for the offender comes in meeting face to face with his victim. By facing up to the injury he has caused healing and transformation can occur. In some cases, victims choose to forgive their offenders. In those cases, the benefits are even greater for both victim and offender. <br /> <br />The benefits of restorative justice policies to victims, offenders and communities cannot be underestimated. <br /> <br />Lisa Rea <br />Founder & President <br />Restorative Justice International <br />~a global network @ linkedin.com <br /> <br />